Turn Your Feet While Your Upper Body Faces Downhill

What This Cue Means

When working on your hockey stop, one of the trickier parts is managing how your body moves through the turn. The cue “Your feet and skis rotate while your upper body stays facing downhill. Separation is key” is all about keeping your upper body stable and aligned downhill while your legs and skis do the turning work underneath you.

Why does this matter? When you stop on skis, you want to control your speed and balance. If your whole body twists together, it’s harder to stay balanced and you might end up leaning back or falling. By keeping your torso facing downhill, you create a strong, stable base. Your legs can then rotate your skis sideways to scrub off speed effectively.

When to Use It

Think of it like this: your upper body is the anchor, and your feet and skis are the steering wheel. The separation between these two parts helps you stay balanced and in control. When done right, you’ll feel your hips and knees turning your skis while your shoulders and chest stay pointed straight down the slope. This feels more controlled and less frantic.

How to Practice

A common mistake is to let your upper body follow the skis, which can cause you to twist too much or lean off balance. This often leads to a less effective stop and can make it harder to get going again smoothly. Another issue is stiffening up your upper body, which reduces your ability to absorb terrain and react quickly.

Use this cue when you’re practicing hockey stops on moderate slopes. It’s especially helpful if you find yourself losing balance or spinning out during your stops. For more on body positioning during stops, check out the Hockey Stop technique page and related cues like “Flex your ankles and knees for absorption” or “Keep your weight centered over skis.”

Remember, this separation is a subtle but powerful adjustment that helps you ski more confidently and safely. Turn Lab highlights it as a key body position to focus on as you refine your hockey stop. Keep practicing it, and you’ll notice smoother, more controlled stops in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should my upper body stay facing downhill during a hockey stop?

Keeping your upper body facing downhill helps maintain balance and stability. It prevents you from twisting awkwardly, which can throw off your stop and make it harder to recover.

What does it feel like when I’m using this cue correctly?

You’ll notice your legs and skis turning beneath you while your torso remains steady and pointed downhill. It feels like your lower body is doing the work, while your upper body stays calm and controlled.

What common mistakes happen if I don’t keep this separation?

If your upper body rotates with your skis, you risk losing balance and control. It can cause you to lean back or twist, making the stop less effective and increasing the chance of falling.